Protective glove apparatus

ABSTRACT

A protective glove apparatus includes a left-handed shoulder-length glove, and a right-handed shoulder-length glove. A collar extends from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extends from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove. The collar is configured to substantially surround a user&#39;s neck and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user&#39;s arms.

BACKGROUND

Protective gloves are used for medical and surgical procedures and examinations. Standard protective gloves of this type generally cover the hand and extend to the wrist or distal-most forearm. Protective gloves are also worn by individuals in settings other than sterile health care settings. Protective gloves are commonly worn by health care workers, support staff, law enforcement officers, military staff, paramedics and others that come into contact with blood or other fluids. With these gloves, the upper arms and at least a substantial portion of the wearer's forearms are typically exposed, and are readily fluid-contaminated with blood or other fluids.

Accordingly, current protective gloves typically only provide protection at the level of the wrist or, at most, the mid-forearm. Existing protective gloves that extend beyond the wrist are often disadvantageous since they are uncomfortable to wear, restrict movement, and tend to slide down the arm in use. For example, some gloves used for water birth extend beyond the wrist, and tend to slide down during use and fill with water.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is directed to a protective glove apparatus that includes a left-handed shoulder-length glove and a right-handed shoulder-length glove. A collar extends from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extends from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove. The collar is configured to substantially surround a user's neck and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user's arms.

Another embodiment is directed to a fluid impermeable protective glove apparatus that includes a left-handed shoulder-length glove, and a right-handed shoulder-length glove. A chest shield extends from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extends from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove. The chest shield is configured to be positioned over a user's chest and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user's arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a frontal view of a user wearing a protective glove apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of a user wearing a protective glove apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of a user wearing a protective glove apparatus according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

One embodiment is directed to a protective glove apparatus for use in a fluid environment, such as for use by a doctor in a water birth. In one embodiment, the glove apparatus covers a user's hands, arms, and shoulders, and provides a barrier to transmission of fluid to these portions of the user's body, while permitting transmission of tactile sensations to the user's hands and substantially unrestricted hand and arm movement.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a frontal view of a user wearing a protective glove apparatus 100 according to one embodiment. Glove apparatus 100 includes right-handed shoulder-length glove 102A, left-handed should-length glove 102B, and chest shield 112. Glove 102A extends from a distal end 103A to a proximal end 109A, and includes glove portion 104A, arm portion 106A, and shoulder portion 108A. Glove 102B extends from a distal end 103B to a proximal end 109B, and includes glove portion 104B, arm portion 106B, and shoulder portion 108B. A collar 110 extends from the proximal ends 109A and 109B and is configured to completely surround or substantially surround (e.g., surrounds at least about 50%) of a wearer's neck. In the illustrated embodiment, the collar 110 surrounds at least a front half of the wearer's neck. The front side of the glove apparatus 100 includes a chest shield 112 that extends below the collar 110 and extends between the proximal ends 109A and 109B. The chest shield 112 is configured to be positioned over the chest of a wearer of the glove apparatus 100, and acts as a splash guard to prevent liquid from contacting the chest of the wearer. In one embodiment, the chest shield 112 extends below the collar about 6-8 inches.

Gloves 102A and 102B extend from distal ends 103A and 103B, respectively, at a wearer's finger tips, to proximal ends 109A and 109B, respectively, at a wearer's shoulders, to fully cover the wearer's hands, forearms, upper arms, and shoulders. In one embodiment, the entire glove apparatus 100 is formed of a single piece of material that is fluid impermeable. In one embodiment, the glove apparatus 100 is formed of a fluid impermeable, thin, non-sterile, non-latex, synthetic rubber material, for example polychloroprene (Neoprene), styrene butadiene, or styrene ethylene butadiene.

The arm portions 106A and 106B and the shoulder portions 108A and 108B are of a size to fit somewhat loosely about the wearer's upper body. In particular, the arm portions 106A and 106B have a circumferential area of a size that fits comfortably around the arm and allows essentially a full range of upper extremity motion. The arm portions 106A and 106B and the shoulder portions 108A and 108B are sized so as to have the ability to be pulled over other garments, and are comfortable to a wearer when worn over other clothing items. In one embodiment, the arm portions 106A and 106B remain relatively loose compared to the tighter fitting glove portions 104A and 104B.

As distinguished from previously known health care gloves, the gloves 102A and 102B of glove apparatus 100 according to one embodiment do not terminate proximally near the wearer's wrist, but rather extend to and over the wearer's shoulders.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of a user wearing the protective glove apparatus 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the back side of glove apparatus 100 has an open back configuration, and includes four narrow attachment strips 202A, 204A, 202B, and 204B, which are configured to be tied together at the wearer's back in order to help hold up the gloves 102A and 102B on the wearer's arms, and prevent the gloves 102A and 102B from sliding down the arms of the wearer. Strips 202A and 204A extend from the proximal end 109A of the glove 102A, and strips 202B and 204B extend from the proximal end 109B of the glove 102B. In one embodiment, strips 202A, 204A, 202B, and 204B are each about 1 inch wide and about 12 inches in length. Strips 202A and 204A are each configured to be tied to one or both of strips 202B and 204B. In one embodiment, strips 202A, 204A, 202B, and 204B are formed from the same material as the rest of the glove apparatus 100, and are part of the one-piece construction of the glove apparatus 100. In another embodiment, the strips 202A, 204A, 202B, and 204B are formed from the same or a different material than the rest of the glove apparatus 100, and are attached to the glove apparatus 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, glove apparatus 100 includes three separate and distinct connection points at which the gloves 102A and 102B are connected or connectable together. Chest shield 112 forms a first connection point, which is positioned on the front side of the user. When tied together, strips 202A and 202B form a second connection point, which is positioned on the back side of the user. When tied together, strips 204A and 204B form a third connection point, which is also positioned on the back side of the user.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of a user wearing a protective glove apparatus 100-2 according to another embodiment. In one embodiment, the front portion of the glove apparatus 100-2 shown in FIG. 3 is configured in the same manner as the front portion of the glove apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the back side of glove apparatus 100-2 has a closed back configuration, and includes a rear collar portion 302, and two narrow attachment strips 304A and 304B, which are configured to be tied together at the wearer's back. The rear collar portion 302 and the strips 304A and 304B help hold up the gloves 102A and 102B on the wearer's arm, and prevent the gloves 102A and 102B from sliding down the arms of the wearer. Rear collar portion 302 is part of the collar 110 (FIG. 1), which completely surrounds the neck of the wearer in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, rear collar portion 302 provides a permanent connection of the gloves 102A and 102B at the back side of the wearer.

Strip 304A extends from the proximal end 109A of the glove 102A, and strip 304B extends from the proximal end 109B of the glove 102B. In one embodiment, strips 304A and 304B are each about 1 inch wide and about 12 inches in length. Strip 304A is configured to be tied to strip 304B. In one embodiment, strips 304A and 304B are formed from the same material as the rest of the glove apparatus 100-2, and are part of the one-piece construction of the glove apparatus 100-2. In another embodiment, the strips 304A and 304B are formed of the same or different material than the rest of the glove apparatus 100-2, and are attached to the glove apparatus 100-2.

In the illustrated embodiment, glove apparatus 100-2 includes three separate and distinct connection points at which the gloves 102A and 102B are connected or connectable together. Chest shield 112 (FIG. 1) forms a first connection point, which is positioned on the front side of the user. Rear collar portion 302 forms a second connection point, which is positioned on the back side of the user. When tied together, strips 304A and 304B form a third connection point, which is also positioned on the back side of the user.

In one embodiment, the gloves 102A and 102B are provided in standard sleeve sizes (e.g., 31, 35, and 39 inches in length), and glove portions 104A and 104B are provided in a variety of glove sizes, including 6 (small), 7 (medium), and 8 (large). In one embodiment, the glove portions 104A and 104B range in size from 5.5 (extra small) to 9.0 (extra extra large).

One embodiment is directed to a protective glove apparatus that includes a left-handed shoulder-length glove, and a right-handed shoulder-length glove. A collar extends from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extends from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove. The collar is configured to substantially surround a user's neck and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user's arms.

The protective glove apparatus according to one embodiment includes a chest shield extending down from the collar, wherein the chest shield is configured to be positioned over the user's chest. In one form of this embodiment, the chest shield is configured to extend between about 6 to 8 inches below the collar.

In one embodiment, the collar is configured to completely surround the user's neck. In one form of this embodiment, the protective glove apparatus further includes: a first attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.

The protective glove apparatus according to one embodiment includes: a first attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back. In one form of this embodiment, the protective glove apparatus further includes: a third attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a fourth attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the third and fourth attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.

The protective glove apparatus according to one embodiment is a non-sterile, non-latex, protective glove apparatus. In one embodiment, the protective glove apparatus is a synthetic rubber protective glove apparatus. In one form of this embodiment, the protective glove apparatus comprises polychloroprene. In another form of this embodiment, the protective glove apparatus comprises styrene butadiene. In yet another form of this embodiment, the protective glove apparatus comprises styrene ethylene butadiene.

In one embodiment, the protective glove apparatus is a liquid resistant protective glove apparatus. In one embodiment, the protective glove apparatus is formed of a single piece of material. In one form of this embodiment, the single piece of material is fluid impermeable.

Another embodiment is directed to a fluid-impermeable protective glove apparatus that includes a left-handed shoulder-length glove and a right-handed shoulder-length glove. A chest shield extends from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extends from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove. The chest shield is configured to be positioned over a user's chest and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user's arms.

In one embodiment, the protective glove apparatus further includes a collar extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove, wherein the collar is configured to substantially surround the user's neck. In one embodiment, the collar is configured to completely surround the user's neck. In one form of this embodiment, the protective glove apparatus further includes: a first attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.

In one embodiment, the protective glove apparatus further includes: a first plurality of attachment strips extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second plurality of attachment strips extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second pluralities of attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective glove apparatus, comprising: a left-handed shoulder-length glove; a right-handed shoulder-length glove; and a collar extending from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extending from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove, wherein the collar is configured to substantially surround a user's neck and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user's arms.
 2. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising: a chest shield extending down from the collar, wherein the chest shield is configured to be positioned over the user's chest.
 3. The protective glove apparatus of claim 2, wherein the chest shield is configured to extend between about 6 to 8 inches below the collar.
 4. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collar is configured to completely surround the user's neck.
 5. The protective glove apparatus of claim 4, and further comprising: a first attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.
 6. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising: a first attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.
 7. The protective glove apparatus of claim 6, and further comprising: a third attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a fourth attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the third and fourth attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.
 8. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective glove apparatus is anon-sterile, non-latex, protective glove apparatus.
 9. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective glove apparatus is a synthetic rubber protective glove apparatus.
 10. The protective glove apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective glove apparatus comprises polychloroprene.
 11. The protective glove apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective glove apparatus comprises styrene butadiene.
 12. The protective glove apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective glove apparatus comprises styrene ethylene butadiene.
 13. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective glove apparatus is a liquid resistant protective glove apparatus.
 14. The protective glove apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective glove apparatus is formed of a single piece of material.
 15. The protective glove apparatus of claim 14, wherein the single piece of material is fluid impermeable.
 16. A fluid-impermeable protective glove apparatus, comprising: a left-handed shoulder-length glove; a right-handed shoulder-length glove; a chest shield extending from a proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extending from a proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove, wherein the chest shield is configured to be positioned over a user's chest and help prevent the left-handed shoulder-length glove and the right-handed shoulder-length glove from sliding down the user's arms.
 17. The protective glove apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising: a collar extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove and extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove, wherein the collar is configured to substantially surround the user's neck.
 18. The protective glove apparatus of claim 17, wherein the collar is configured to completely surround the user's neck.
 19. The protective glove apparatus of claim 18, and further comprising: a first attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second attachment strip extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder-length glove; and wherein the first and second attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back.
 20. The protective glove apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising: a first plurality of attachment strips extending from the proximal end of the right-handed shoulder-length glove; a second plurality of attachment strips extending from the proximal end of the left-handed shoulder length glove; and wherein the first and second pluralities of attachment strips are configured to be tied together at the user's back. 